“I know, but them bringing it here isn’t my concern,” Lexi told him. “It’s the ability they have to take it with them that’s the problem. What if there’s a three to ten day incubation period?”
“You’re getting ahead if yourself,” Bill said. “Do your tests, send your pictures to Henry. I’ll take care of the patients.”
“Thank you.” Lexi tiptoed up and kissed him on the cheek.
A knock came on the newly made lab door, and Lexi saw Matt standing in the doorway.
“I got six guys ready to go. What is it exactly we’re looking for?” he asked.
“Sickness of any kind. Flu, cold, stomach virus, anything,” Lexi informed him. “Go from hotel to hotel, camps, pilgrims, houses, door to door — I need to know if anyone else is sick in this town. They may be and since they don’t know about me yet, they may be staying inside.”
“We’re on it.” Matt turned and left.
Bill looked down to Lexi. “What do you think they’ll find?”
“If all goes well, absolutely nothing,” Lexi said. “For that… let’s hope.”
Damon, NY
Chris, Tigger, Jake and Emmie sat alone in what looked like a small cafeteria, with seats attached to the tables. They each had been given a bowl of soup, a hunk of bread and a candy bar.
Tigger ate his soup slowly, Emmie played in hers, but Chris thought it was awesome. It had a tomato taste to it like his grandmother used to make. He wiped the bread around the bowl to get the last drop.
Jake pushed his bowl to Chris. “I’m finished if you want the rest of mine,”
“No, I’m good.”
“When’s that big guy coming back?” Tigger asked. “The one you tried to kill.”
“I didn’t try to kill him on purpose. I don’t think I could though, he’s awfully big.”
“Bigger than Mick,” Tigger said.
“He’s not bigger than Mick. Close, but not bigger than Mick,” Chris said in Mick’s defense.
“Mick’s wider.”
“True,” Chris conceded. As he finished the last drop of his soup, he saw Briggs walking in.
“How’s lunch?” Briggs asked as he joined them at the table. He looked at Tigger, who was staring at his legs. “What’s wrong?”
“Was just seeing how you fit on that little seat,” Tigger said.
Briggs smiled. “Well, you guys look good and clean. I have a woman in town, Doc’s girlfriend, and she said she’d watch Emmie for a little bit to give you boys a break.”
“She can’t keep her, though, ‘cause I am taking her with me home to Lodi,” Chris said.
“I realize that. How are the clothes?”
“Army like,” Chris said. “You aren’t making me be a soldier are you?”
“No.” Briggs shook his head.
“‘Cause I don’t want to be a soldier. When I’m older maybe, but not now.”
“I’m not.”
“You have me dressed like one.”
“That’s because it’s all we had on hand, Chris.”
“A whole town at your disposal and this is all you had to fit me?” Chris asked, gesturing to the camouflage pants and tan tee shirt he was wearing.
“On hand, yes. I didn’t go into town. Trust me Chris, it’s only clothes.”
“Good. ‘Cause I ain’t ready to be a soldier yet.”
“I am!” Tigger exclaimed. “You can make me one.”
“Now, why are you going and talking like you can be a soldier?” Chris said. “You have to be a certain height.”
Tigger sulked.
Briggs laid his hand on Tiger’s head. “You’d make a great little soldier.”
“Great little militant,” Chris corrected. “He’s a tyrant.”
“I am not,” Tigger argued. “I don’t know what that is, but I know I am not.”
Jake added, “It’s because he’s small. Small guys have that.”
“Enough,” Briggs held up his hand. “Before we start fighting, Chris, our cell phone signals are back up. Is there a grown up you can call? I’d like to speak to them.”
Chris grew bright and then slumped. “My phone’s in that car. I don’t know numbers by heart. I just press the name.”
Surprising them all, Tigger spoke up. “330-hot vids.”
Chris turned to him. “What?”
“Pap’s video store. 330-hot-vids. That’s what Patrick told me, easy number to remember.”
“It is!” Chris said. “Oh, wow, I can’t believe I forgot.”
Jake asked. “But will your pap be at the store? Isn’t it closed down?”
“Oh, no, my pap will always be at that store. People always wanna watch movies.” He looked at Briggs.” Can we call him? Can we call our pap?”
“Absolutely. That’s what I was hoping for.” Briggs handed the phone to Chris.
Lodi Ohio
Even though Tom had the high chair behind the counter with him, he held on to Doe. Or rather, Doe held on to him. Tom lifted movie cases and showed the baby. “And this one is about zombies. Yeah.” Tom picked up another. “This is about wrestling. Your new brothers love wrestling and I’m sure you’ll be brainwashed into that as well.”
He looked up at the ding of the bell to see Lars walking in.
“Making house calls?” Tom asked.
“Store calls.” Lars walked closer. “How is he?”
“He’s good. He’s been taking a bottle and I soaked some Ritz Crackers in Carnation sweetened milk, he ate them right up.”
Lars smiled. “Good. You do know you can put him down, right?”
“Well… I figure he is needing some love and a pair of arms to hold him for a spell. No one’s arms need filling more than mine.”
“Are you feeling any better about Chris and Tigger?”
“Nope. Not until I see them. They’re smart boys but they aren’t survival smart. While other boys were camping and in the Scouts, they were watching wrestling and playing video games.”
Lars gave Tom a quirky look when the phone rang. “Someone is calling?”
“Been calling all morning. For some damn reason Mad Max is in demand and Ross has it.” Tom reached over and grabbed the phone. “Afternoon, Hit and Run Video.”
“Pap!”
The phone nearly dropped from Tom’s hand as he stood. His heart raced, his ears filled with blood and he immediately wanted to cry. “Chris?”
Lars hurried over. “Chris?”
Tom nodded.
“Aw, geeze, Pap it is so good to hear your voice,” Chris said.
“Are you guys okay?” Tom asked. “Really?”
“Oh, sure, we’re fine,” Chris said. “I drove you know. Hit some man, but he’s fine. Probably because he’s big. That’s where we are.”
Tom shook his head. “You hit a man with a car and you’re with him?”
“Yeah, some little town in New York. We went the wrong way. He got us. He’s an Army guy, you know. Have you heard from Mick? I’m worried about Mick, Pap.”
“Mick is fine. He found your note.”
“Oh, good.”
“Chris, where exactly in New York are you?”
“I don’t know, but there’s a problem getting us home.”
“Chris, give me a clue. You don’t have to say out loud, a simple yes or no will do. Are you kidnapped by militants?”
Chris snorted in his laugh then replied. “No. Geeze. Here. He wants to talk to you. I love you, Pap. I’ll call you again.”
Before Tom could say anything, a deep male voice came on the other line.
“Mr. Roberts? This is Commander Jonah Briggs of the United America Army.”
“The United what?”
“America Army.”
“What in blazes is that?”
“It a large organization of merged militia groups along with military personnel to restructure and rebuild America.”